Challenge - 30 days and more

Well - we are two weeks into the 30 day challenge. I entered the challenge thinking that I would focus on exercise and making better food choices. I wanted to do things differently. I am educated on weight loss and exercise. I have preached to others that there are 168 hours in a week and surely you can set aside at least 2 of those for exercise. That's not asking much right?? Well - in two weeks I put in a whopping 30 minutes. Albeit I did some sweating and activity that should count as exercise (climbing steps if you were wondering). That is not sufficent. I weighed at the doctor's office on day 2 and have not stepped foot on the scales since then. Although, dear hubby has managed to lose six pounds that I am very proud of him for.

A dear friend spoke to a group of women recently and gave some encouraging scripture. Maybe you could use some encouragement. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV) 11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. I love that we can do that - encourage and lift up each other. My friends are such an encouragement to me. I have been loved on this past week and I am thankful to call you friends. In Deuteronomy 3: 28a God gave Moses instructions: 28'(A)But charge Joshua and encourage him and strengthen him, Moses was not going to enter into the promised land but Joshua was. How often do we become jealous or full of envy when someone else succeeds and we do not. Many times I have been full of envy when someone else succeeds with weight loss. I envy those that love to exercise and do it faithfully. But I can turn that into a challenge. They should inspire me. I am the only thing between me and success. Even though life gets in the way - it is my choice to be swallowed up or to get busy and take care of my body. (not even the exterior part - but those vital organs). Being jealous is part of the problem and is not the solution.

I desire to be healthy. Those long steep flights of steps this past weekend were killers on this out of shape woman. I was hurting by the last few and that is NOT acceptable.

So - please leave me some messages about how you fit exercise into your schedules. We can help and encourage each other with tips to make it more doable. Remember 168 hours - 4 days of 30 minutes is merely 2 of those hours. It's a start.

The other part of my challenge was to spend more time with my Heavenly Father through His Word. Well - careful what you ask for. And always - always be prepared for Satan to attack when you strive to make Christ first and foremost. Satan just loves a challenge and he despises that we desire to have a close relationship with Christ. I noticed that Amber over at http://www.strivingfor31.com was sick last week. That's a sure way to interfere with diet and exercise. The challenge was pretty much the last thing on my mind when my mom went home to be with Jesus on July 30. But I know that just as God allowed Satan to attack Job He can and will allow us to be attacked. But what an awesome thought that God knows that we (you and me) can handle the attack. He looks down on us and says - they won't falter. Losing my mom is a very difficult thing right now (more so today for some reason) but I know that she is rejoicing at the throne. She is in no pain. She is no longer longing to be reunited with my dad. I just know he escourted her through those pearly gates. I can rejoice in many things and not allow Satan the glory of beating me down. Phillipians 4:13 is often quoted and very well known but IT applys. I CAN do everything through Him who GIVES me strength. All the strength that I need comes from Him. He gives me enough.

I can't succeed on my strength, but I can succeed on HIS strength.

I love you guys - keep on keeping on and tell me how it's going.

Diane